Add Bat Houses to your yard and control insect populations naturally. Available in Cedar or Redwood, bat houses provide proper shelter for beneficial little brown bats. If using butterfly feeders, adding a butterfly house will also provide shelter. Butterflies also adore the gentle spray of birdbath or leaf misters

Bat Houses should be mounted at least 10 feet, preferably 15 to 20 feet above ground, to a tree, pole or structure. If mounting to a tree, be sure the house is clear of branches, as they will hinder a bat's flight. A South or Southeast exposure is best, allowing the house to receive full sun. If there is more than one bat house, face the second in a different direction to allow for varying temperatures, this is a key factor in whether or not bats will occupy houses.

Bats do prefer habitat that is near water, such as a creek, stream, lake or river. Another way to entice bats to their new home is by adding insects! Simply place some kind of small light or night light nearby to attract mosquitoes and other insects...bats are likely to follow if they are in your area.

Bat houses are available in different sizes, to accommodate different groups. The single chamber bat houses usually host a smaller group of males, while the triple-chamber models house whole colonies, including offspring. No matter the size, the bat house should be well built, with no gaps or leaky areas.

In the Northeast US, there is a serious fungus afflicting brown bats, and scientists even fear it may wipe out an entire species.

Please take a moment to learn about "White Nose Syndrome" in this informative and very well narrated video clip.

White-nose Syndrome from Gerrit Vyn on Vimeo.